Match Maker
I see people all the time trying to connect two other people together. If they know both people and they are compatible, then they get introduced and possibly go out on a date. Relationships are tricky and somewhat fragile. When they are built right, they can be incredible rewarding and strong. I believe that God wired us for relationship. He built into our DNA the need for relationship and companionship.
Naomi was doing some matchmaking for Ruth. She gave her some instructions about “turning Boaz’s head”. Naomi learned that Boaz would be on the threshing floor overseeing the wheat threshing process. She tells Ruth to shower and put her best clothes and go lay under the corner of his blanket while he’s sleeping. Naomi told her what to say and then to wait to see his response. So Ruth does everything like Naomi tells her. Ruth secretly goes to the place where Boaz is working and waits until the right time. Check this out…
7 When Boaz had finished eating and drinking and was in good spirits, he went over to lie down at the far end of the grain pile. Ruth approached quietly, uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 In the middle of the night something startled the man; he turned – and there was a woman lying at his feet!
9 ‘Who are you?’ he asked.
‘I am your servant Ruth,’ she said. ‘Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.’
10 ‘The Lord bless you, my daughter,’ he replied. ‘This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: you have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. (Ruth 3:7-11 NIV)
This whole process was important. I believe Boaz’s head had already been turned when he first saw Ruth. He had favor on her and he knew then of her character because of how she had looked after her mother-in-law Naomi. I love the respect that I see from both of them. If this had happened in our culture, there would have more than likely been sexual activity involved. This was the first time that Boaz heard from Ruth the “guardian redeemer” word, but he knew exactly what it meant. In fact, I believe that he had done his due diligence with this young lady as well. In Israel the “guardian redeemer” also known as “kinsmen redeemer” was a person in the family who was to look out for other family members who had fallen on hard times and needed rescuing from hard times. I love the picture here, because Jesus became my “kinsmen redeemer” of sorts. He rescued me from hard times. He rescues me daily from difficulty.
I want to stay connected to the Lord – my redeemer.
I want to be respectful of Him and honor Him.
I want to be obedient of Him and allow Him to direct my decisions and my actions.
I’m so thankful that I met the Lord many years ago and that He still is as concerned with me as He was when we first met. That is literally a match made in heaven.
Pressing On!
Dwayne